Although the starting lineup is still undecided, Kings fans should be able to find comfort in the team’s depth this season.
“I would say, probably three,” Coach Paul Westphal responded when asked how many starting spots remain open.
Upon further elaboration, the Kings coach said he sees the backcourt duo of Tyreke Evans and Beno Udrih as the most likely combination for the starting guard positions—leaving Pooh Jeter, Francisco Garcia and training camp invitees Joe Crawford and Luther Head as options off the bench.
For Jeter, the role of being used as a key substitute is familiar.
Playing for Hapoel Migdal Jerusalem last season, the Kings rookie won the All-Israeli Premier League Sixth Man of the Year award while averaging over 12 points per game.
“Last year—since I had to be the sixth man—really prepared me for this year,” Jeter said. “It’s something I really learned from. I’m listening to everybody, and I just want to continue to listen and watch film so I can fix what needs to be fixed.”
Thursday night’s preseason game against the L.A. Clippers provided another learning experience for the rookie guard when he played more minutes (39) than any other Kings player.
“Every minute he can play is good for him because we are counting on him this year,” Westphal explained. “His role will be off the bench, and we want to give him as many minutes as we can through these preseason games because he’s going to need to run the team when he’s out there.”
“Playing 40 minutes was really about trying to get our chemistry down,” Jeter revealed.
Helping the guard’s adjustment to the NBA, former Kings guard Bobby Jackson has found a willing understudy. While there are many rookies searching for an understanding of their roles on new teams, few can have a mentor as tailor-fitted for their needs.
“Ever since I came here, I have always talked to Bobby Jackson,” Jeter said. “He’s somebody I always used to watch because we are similar. During the game, I look at him (for instruction), and he will tell me (what to do). That’s the little connection and relationship we have. He’s really looking to help me, and I’m looking to learn from him.”
Diminutive in stature, Jeter is not short on heart—making him similar to the feisty Jackson. His game also displays the same quick pace and attacking style, which made the former Kings Sixth Man of the Year a fan favorite during his playing days.
“What the Kings want me to do is the same thing (Jackson) did here,” Jeter, acknowledging their similarities, said. “I just have to continue to bring that energy and endurance.”
If he can provide the sort of spark off the bench Jackson did throughout his tenure, then Jeter may soon be able to add another sixth man award to his trophy case.
Considering the torrid pace of training camp and preseason, Coach Paul Westphal decided it was time to give some of his players a much-deserved rest on Monday.
Tyreke Evans, Beno Udrih, Samuel Dalembert, DeMarcus Cousins, Hassan Whiteside, Jason Thompson and Carl Landry were given time off from scrimmaging by the Kings coach.
Although the seven players didn’t participate in the day’s full-contact practice, they joined their teammates to review film.
It should be noted Evans, Cousins and Thompson are all expected to play in Tuesday’s rematch against Golden State. Landry is listed as probable with an eye injury he suffered during Saturday’s practice. Udrih (sprained right shoulder), Dalembert (strained left adductor) and Whiteside (strained left patellar tendon), meanwhile, remain out for Tuesday’s game.
For the players who did participate in the scrimmage, Monday presented another opportunity to make an impression on the Kings coaching staff.
Training camp invitees Joe Crawford, Luther Head, Connor Atchley and Marcus Landry all competed alongside other Kings players in order to secure playing time, roster spots and starting positions.
Although Crawford has played less than six minutes total during the preseason, he left practice with an admirer.
“The best player in practice today was Joe Crawford,” Westphal said.
Another important evaluation still yet to be decided is who will be the starting small forward. During practice, Antoine Wright, Marcus Landry, Omri Casspi and Donté Greene all worked hard to exhibit their talents. Playing on opposing teams, Casspi was matched against Wright while Greene was pitted against Marcus Landry.
So far, Westphal has made clear the focus of the starting small forward will be defense and the ability to hit open shots.
“We like to play an inside-out attack,” the Kings coach said.
Though the Kings struggled at times against the Warriors, the team’s shooting from beyond the arc was vastly improved from last Thursday’s game against the Clippers where they were unable to convert from long distance.
In Sunday night’s game, Sacramento shot 10-for-23 from the three-point line—even Cousins joined the action as he made his only attempt. Besides the rookie, small forwards Wright and Casspi combined to shoot 50 percent from beyond the arc.
The Warriors game also offered fans the first real glimpse of Wright’s playing abilities.
“I thought he did a solid job defensively,” Westphal said. “I think similar to all the new players, there’s so much hesitance and unfamiliarity it’s hard to look good.”
For Casspi, training camp has required a different type of adjustment. Returning from playing with Israel, the second-year forward has had to get used to shooting three-pointers from a greater distance.
“I’m just trying to get to my spots and do what coach wants,” Casspi explained. “My shots aren’t falling yet, and I’m trying to adjust to the three-point line again since coming from overseas.”
Following Sunday’s game, Westphal had only praise for the talented small forward.
“I think Omri is trying very hard to fit the job description,” said Westphal, as he addressed his expectations for the starting small forward position.
Although, according to Westphal, the Kings are “a long ways” from putting a finished product on the floor, the team continues to progress as it prepares for the regular season.
The Sacramento Kings have promoted Assistant Coach Shareef Abdur Rahim to Assistant GM. This was announced to the press by Sacramento Kings Basketball of Operations Geoff Petrie.
With less than two weeks left in camp, what is your strategy to ensure you find a place on the team?
“I just want to be ready for the opportunities whenever they present themselves. My goal is to keep myself in the best shape possible and to be ready for anything when I get into the game.”
How do you balance achieving individual goals in your attempt to make the Kings against the interests of team success in the preseason?
“It’s easy for me because it’s about finding ways to get on the court. I think it’s the way (to make the team). I try to see what the team needs, and then I try to provide it.”
Do you think the team needs you to provide three-point shooting?
“It could come in many ways. It may be defense (or) it could be three-point shooting. Whatever it is, I’m willing to try to do a whole bunch of things. I’m working on different parts within my game and trying to get feedback at practice.”
How do you feel about the transition from playing shooting guard to spending time at point guard?
“It’s been better than I thought. Because of injuries, I haven’t been able to play the point position since high school. So now, it’s just about being excited and trying to keep growing in those areas.”
You’re a veteran with big game experience, how much do you think it could be an asset for the team?
“There are a lot of things I have learned, especially from some of the older guys. I’ve been a student of the game my whole career, and I understand a lot of areas guys are still trying to learn. I’ve been able to do many things physically, but I’ve also experienced the game enough to understand the right way to play.”
After being drafted in the first round and getting significant playing time with the Houston Rockets, you’re now vying for a spot on the regular season roster. What have you learned from this experience?
“Be patient and stay ready for your opportunities.”
Having played on a young team that made a jump to the Playoffs, do you think the Kings can make the same improvement this season?
“I think so. I think we have good guys at every position who can do different things. One through five, I think we are pretty solid. We can shoot the ball well. We have a great point guard in Tyreke (Evans). We have a good guard in Beno (Udrih). Now we just have to put it all together, and get guys to play on the same page.”
Update:
Starters Set?
Although the team still has two preseason away games to play before the 2010-11 regular season tips-off, Coach Paul Westphal revealed whom he hopes to start the first game of the regular season. The lineup looks as follows if the players are healthy:
Guard: Beno Udrih
Guard: Francisco Garcia
Forward: Donté Greene
Forward: Carl Landry
Center: DeMarcus Cousins
After being out for the first game (suspension), Westphal said Evans would supplant Garcia in the starting lineup.
Greene Geared Up For Starting Role
The Kings were in high spirits for Saturday’s practice as a number of injured players were able to participate in the afternoon session.
Tyreke Evans (left ankle sprain), Darnell Jackson (right ankle sprain), Francisco Garcia (right ankle sprain) and Beno Udrih (right shoulder sprain) could all be seen taking part in full-contact drills designed to simulate a fast break.
After the string of recent injuries during training camp, the speedy recovery of Evans, Garcia and Jackson coupled with the return of Udrih marked a positive outlook for the team. With their return, only Hassan Whiteside and Samuel Dalembert are expected to miss the game against the L.A. Clippers on Tuesday.
Besides the health of the team, a reoccurring topic this preseason has been whom would be named starting small forward. On Friday, Coach Paul Westphal revealed he expects Donté Greene to fill that position for the first regular season game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“If we’re healthy, we’ll start Francisco Garcia, Beno Udrih, Donté Greene, Carl Landry and DeMarcus Cousins for the first game,” Westphal said.
On Saturday, Greene was all smiles as he joined Evans and Garcia in their ritual three-point shooting contest—the first time this preseason the Kings forward has joined in the post-practice fun. In the aftermath of Greene ‘s starting selection, it seems as though a weight has been lifted.
“I think the main thing we want from Donté is enthusiasm to go along with the natural improvement that a player makes in his third year,” the Kings coach said.
“Earlier, he was battling some conditioning issues and was also probably battling himself a little bit. Donté wasn’t really bringing the enthusiasm we’ve come to expect and that’s when he’s at his best. He was thinking too much, but now he’s playing looser. He has a good understanding of what we want, and now he’s going out there and playing aggressively and with passion.”
In the beginning of the preseason, Greene struggled to find a rhythm as he played limited minutes and struggled offensively. Further complicating his effectiveness on the court, the third-year forward came into camp heavier than expected.
Responding well to the aforementioned challenges, Greene received the opportunity to start against the Golden State Warriors and hasn’t looked back—starting every game since. He’s also slimmed down to a trim 242 pounds in recent weeks. After shedding the weight, he is now focused on improving his rebounding ability from a year ago.
“I’ve been trying to go out there the past couple of games and at least grab five or six boards,” Greene said. “This year I want to average six or seven as a minimum. Definitely, being on the boards and being active on defense while taking what the defense gives me on offense, I should be able to help my teammates.”
With Greene rejuvenated and the team’s health improving, the Kings are shaping up to regular season form
Kings Focused As Preseason Winds Down
Returning from a dramatic victory over the L.A. Clippers on Tuesday night, the Kings appeared energetic and tuned-in during Wednesday evening’s practice.
“We looked really good—both offensively and defensively,” Coach Paul Westphal said. “I think it was one of our best practices.”
Considering the subject matter of the night’s proceedings along with the proximity to the regular season, the team’s level of concentration and engagement couldn’t come at a better time. The Kings face the Utah Jazz in the teams’ preseason finales on Friday.
Following Sacramento’s stagnant offensive production to open Tuesday’s game, Westphal decided it was time to re-imagine the team’s offensive sets.
“We really went back to the drawing board on our offense today,” Westphal said. “It was bad last night in the first quarter, but I think we’ll see it getting better.
“I think it’s mostly that the timetable for the offense we have installed was probably a little bit off. I think we simplified and got back to the basics a little bit.”
Aside from Tuesday’s offensive lessons, the game’s closing moments provided another valuable teaching moment for the Kings coaching staff. Hoping to compete for the Playoffs this season, the team will need to be able to finish the fourth quarter strongly.
“To get where we want to go, hopefully we are going to be in a lot of close games and we are going to have to win a lot of close games,” Westphal said. “Last year we didn’t have a knack for that and another step in our development will be being able to win those close games.”
After Tyreke Evans’ game-winning lay-up, players’ confidence in each other is growing. Throughout the preseason, a variety of players have proven their ability to contribute on the court while relishing their roles.
“(The team chemistry) feels pretty good,” Evans said. “Omri (Casspi) came in and played great last night. Carl (Landry) came in and played some big minutes. We looked pretty good. Hopefully it continues into the regular season.”
In the aftermath of Wednesday’s practice, veteran Francisco Garcia bonded with Evans and DeMarcus Cousins during an amusing three-point and half-court shooting contest. Surprisingly, the Kings rookie was the first to make a shot from center court—a jumper that he followed by sinking a circus shot from the corner of one practice court to another.
Enjoying the moment, the reigning Rookie of the Year and the ROY hopeful combined to conduct a joint interview—posing as media members by asking each other questions about embarrassing defensive moments from the previous night’s game.
“We are having fun,” Cousins said. “This team likes to joke around with each other a lot, and I believe it helps build team chemistry. If we continue to build it we’ll be real close and it’ll carry onto the floor.”
With Opening Night of the regular season approaching, the Kings high level of energy and focus is a telling sign of things to come.
this win just show how good a team Sacramento is without Evans.
When he doesn't play the whole team plays a lot better
I view it in another perspective, where Sacramento can be really good if Evans plays the leader they are hoping him to be. Without Evans, the Kings are still a good team.
actually, Sacramento did play better when Evans was on the bench last season, and that's not a personal opinion, that's a fact, There are stats that prove it.
this win just show how good a team Sacramento is without Evans.
When he doesn't play the whole team plays a lot better
actually, Sacramento did play better when Evans was on the bench last season, and that's not a personal opinion, that's a fact, There are stats that prove it.